It’s not the kind of thing people can deal with my themselves
With sexual assault, it is good to have as much support as possible from your friends and family. It is not the kind of thing people can deal with by themselves, as one of the participants said, it can impact your mental health a lot and in that mental state, you are very vulnerable and you don’t know what you are gonna do. So I think it is very good to have that kind of support.
Recommendations
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Create an inter-university and college roster of peer supporters and educators that includes international and domestic student leaders across genders.
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Provide long-term support to victims/survivors through university services and/or through referals to external community-based agencies.
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When responding to a disclosure or report of sexual violence, highlight that students have the choice to involve support people of their choice, including friends or family members. Offer to reach out to support people if the student prefers. This applies to the victim/survivor or complainant and respondent.